Loneliness Articles

No one likes to be lonely. Even the most anti-social of us want to have some time to talk to people. Even more of a paradox is the fact that you can surround yourself with a large group of people and still feel lonely. Loneliness can lead to depression, a loss of motivation, and not being able to fulfill one’s social needs.

These articles talk about the subject of loneliness. Is everyone a little lonely? What can you do to feel less lonely? When does loneliness become a problem? What is the difference between loneliness and wanting a relationship? You can find out by reading more.

Feeling lonely hurts us, but we all experience it. Loneliness is a familiar human feeling. Human beings are social creatures, and we want to be around other people for the most part. Being in a community provides a sense of reassurance. When you feel like you’re a member of a tribe, it’s comforting. As people, we don’t want to be around others all the time. It’s healthy to be alone at times. We all like to be ourselves sometimes, but when you feel the ratio of being alone as opposed to being around others is unequal, then there’s a problem. Being by yourself for extended periods can make you feel sad, lead to depression, isolation, and other mental health issues. You may be wondering “am I lonely?” So, what is loneliness?
Loneliness as opposed to feeling alone
There’s a difference between being by yourself and being lonely. Loneliness is when you are excessively by yourself, and you’re yearning to be around others, and it’s a painful emotion. Loneliness can lead to depression. And if you’re feeling lonely, you need to take action so that you can feel better. What do you do when you feel lonely? One of the best things you can do is reach out to someone, but it’s not that easy. Loneliness makes people feel isolated and like nobody cares about them. It’s not the truth, but it’s a genuine feeling. There’s a sense of hopelessness associated with loneliness. It’s essential to break through that lonely feeling and see that things can change.
Why am I lonely?
There are many reasons why people might feel lonely. Maybe you moved away to college, and perhaps you don’t feel like you have anyone to talk to who understands you. That’s a valid reason why you might feel alone. Loneliness doesn’t have to be an abstract concept. You could miss a specific person or place. Think about the term homesick. When a person misses the place they grew up, that is a form of loneliness. Another way an individual could feel lonely is when they miss a specific person, such as a close friend or family member. Being misunderstood can make you feel alone. Imagine a child goes to a school where he feels like he’s an outcast. He doesn’t fit in, and maybe he’s even bullied. He surrounded by other children, yet he feels like he is by himself. He’s lonely, and his feelings are understandable. There’s a difference between being by yourself and being around others and feeling misunderstood. In this situation, the child feels misunderstood, and that triggers loneliness. He could benefit from talking to his parents or a guidance counselor about feeling lonely.
Personality type
Some people prefer to be alone. If you’ve ever taken the Myers Briggs Inventory (MBTI) you might fall on the introvert spectrum. That means that you prefer to be alone rather than around others. You like to hang around a couple of close friends but avoid large social gatherings. These people don’t feel sad being by themselves, but if they’re exposed to prolonged periods of isolation, they might feel down. If introverts go to a social occasion, they need time to recharge, afterward. They love their alone time, but there needs to be a balance. Too much of anything isn’t a good thing, and that includes alone time. Being by yourself for a long time can lead to feeling lonely. And whether you’re an introvert or not, if you’re feeling lonely much of the time, you need to seek help in the form of mental health treatment. One place to start is with therapy or counseling.
Online counseling
Loneliness is a painful feeling, but there’s help out there. One excellent way to get support is through online counseling. You may not know why you feel lonely, and that’s why it’s a great resource to be able to talk about your feelings with a trained mental health professional. Search the network of counselors at BetterHelp and find one who you can talk through your feelings of loneliness and isolation with and develop a plan to get out there and meet people. You are not alone, even if it feels that way.

The information on this page is not intended to be a substitution for diagnosis, treatment, or informed professional advice. You should not take any action or avoid taking any action without consulting with a qualified mental health professional. For more information, please read our terms of use.

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